Abstract: A surface effect vessel of a type comprising a buoyed structure with two side keels (20), a rear seal apparatus (100) and a forward seal apparatus cooperating to delimit a central buoyancy cushion (300). The rear seal contains a horizontal extension enclosure (100). A first piping system (54) connects a pressurized air generator (50) to the enclosure (100), and a second piping system (58) connects the central cushion (300) and the pressurized air generator (50). Fluid communication holes (150) are provided between the enclosure (100) and central cushion (300). The piping system (54, 58) and the fluid communication holes (150) are defined to ensure inflation of enclosure (100) to a pressure higher than the pressure of the central cushion (300).

Abstract: The present invention concerns hull shapes for a surface effect ship, including a catamaran type supported structure with two side walls (100) connected by a center platform (200), able to operate either as a buoyant displacement vehicle, or as an air cushion supported vehicle, the side walls (100) confining, with two sealing devices (310, 320), the supporting center air cushion (c).

Abstract: This invention concerns a surface effect vessel whose type comprises a buoyed up structure fitted with two side keels (20), an rear seal apparatus rear and a forward seal apparatus (200) both delimiting a central buoyancy cushion (300). According to the invention the forward seal apparatus (200) consists of an upper horizontal extension shell (210) extending between the two side keels (20) which communicates with the central cushion (300) so as to be supplied by it and two rows of lower multilobe skirts (230, 250) connected below the upper shell (210), which converge towards the center of the central cushion (300) from top to bottom, and whose concavity faces the center of the central cushion (300), the multilobe skirts (230, 250) together delimiting the intermediate chambers (254) which communicate with the upper shell (210) via ports provided in its wall.